Iowa Kids Cheer For Holiday Bowl From Hospital Beds

are iowa hospital kids watching holiday bowl

The University of Iowa has a tradition of waving to children fighting cancer at the Stead Family Children's Hospital near the stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, at the end of the first quarter of each home game. This tradition, known as the Iowa Wave, made its way to the Holiday Bowl game in San Diego in 2019. During the Holiday Bowl, fans and players from both Iowa and their opponent, USC, participated in the Iowa Wave by waving at a video board inside the stadium that showed the children in the hospital.

Characteristics Values
Occasion Holiday Bowl
Date 27 December 2019
Teams Iowa Hawkeyes and USC Trojans
Venue SDCCU Stadium, San Diego
Tradition Iowa Wave
Participants Fans, players, coaches, game officials
Recipients Patients and families at Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City
Hospitals represented at the Holiday Bowl Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego; Children's Hospital, Los Angeles; Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City

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'Iowa Wave' tradition

The 'Iowa Wave' is a tradition observed at every University of Iowa football game. At the end of the first quarter, the entire crowd, including the players, stands up and waves to the patients at the Stead Family Children's Hospital, which is located near the stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. This heartwarming tradition includes children fighting cancer and other illnesses, and even the hospital staff, making them feel noticed and special. The children can watch the game from the hospital and wave back at the crowd.

The Iowa Wave tradition began in 2017 and has since become a beloved part of the University of Iowa's football culture. It has received widespread admiration and media coverage, including from ESPN, for its wholesome and inspiring nature.

During Iowa's trip to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, a variation of the Iowa Wave tradition was planned. The game organisers intended to show the hospital in Iowa City on the stadium's video board at the end of the first quarter, while a Fox Sports 1 camera would pan the stadium so that the kids could wave back at the TV image. This twist aimed to include the children from Iowa City and bring the heartwarming tradition to a wider audience.

The Iowa Wave is a powerful example of how a community can come together to support and include those facing challenging circumstances. It showcases the ability of sports to unite people and create meaningful connections beyond the competition on the field. This tradition has touched the hearts of many and inspired others to consider ways to make a positive impact on their communities.

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University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, formerly known as the University of Iowa Children's Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Iowa, is a pediatric acute care academic hospital located in Iowa City, Iowa. The hospital was founded in 1919, and its current facility, which opened in 2017, overlooks the university's football home, Kinnick Stadium. The hospital has 190 inpatient paediatric beds and is affiliated with the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital is Iowa's only nationally ranked children's hospital, with nine pediatric specialties listed in the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report survey. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to pediatric patients aged 0-21 throughout Iowa and is one of the only children's hospitals in the region and state. It also features the only ACS-verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in Iowa.

The hospital has a unique tradition associated with University of Iowa football games. At the end of the first quarter of each home game, the entire crowd, including players from both teams, stands up and waves to the young patients watching from the hospital, which overlooks the stadium. This tradition, known as the 'Iowa Wave', is a heartwarming gesture to include and bring joy to the children fighting cancer and other illnesses.

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital offers a wide range of medical services through its various divisions, including General Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Adolescent Medicine, Allergy/Pulmonary diseases, Cardiology, Oncology, Neurosurgery, and many more. The hospital is committed to providing the highest level of care, comfort, and compassion to pediatric patients and their families.

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Iowa's trip to the Holiday Bowl

The game itself was a closely fought contest between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the USC Trojans, with the first quarter ending in a 7-7 tie. This was Iowa's first appearance at the Holiday Bowl since 1991, and their overall record at the bowl improved to 2-0-1. The Hawkeyes had previously won their Holiday Bowl appearances in 1986 and 1991, while suffering a sole tie in 1989.

Iowa's defensive coordinator Phil Parker commented on the team's excitement about their trip to San Diego, acknowledging the talent of their opponents, USC. This game marked Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz's 17th bowl appearance, tying him with Michigan's Bo Schembechler for the most in Big Ten history. Iowa junior Keith Duncan was also in the spotlight, having been named a finalist for the Groza Award, which is given to the nation's top kicker.

The 'Iowa Wave' tradition began during the 2017 college football season and has become a heartwarming and emotional aspect of Iowa's home games. It is a way for the entire community to come together and show support for the children and their families, putting the game into perspective and creating a lasting impact beyond the football field.

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Iowa's record in the Holiday Bowl

Iowa has played in the Holiday Bowl four times and holds a 3-0-1 record. The Hawkeyes' last appearance was in 2019, where they beat USC 49-24.

The Holiday Bowl is one of the most anticipated bowl games in college football, and Iowa's participation always draws a lot of excitement. In the 1986 Holiday Bowl, Iowa made a spectacular comeback, rallying from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat San Diego State 39-38. This game is remembered as one of the most thrilling in Iowa's Holiday Bowl history.

In 1987, Iowa had another memorable performance against Wyoming. Trailing by 12 points in the fourth quarter, Iowa cornerback Anthony Wright's interception return and a 1-yard plunge from fullback David Hudson led to a narrow 20-19 victory.

The Holiday Bowl also holds a special tradition for Iowa. During each home game, the entire crowd stands up and waves to kids fighting cancer at the Stead Family Children's Hospital near the stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. This heartwarming tradition, known as the 'Iowa Wave', has become a beloved part of the Holiday Bowl experience.

Iowa's participation in the Holiday Bowl has provided both thrilling football moments and heartwarming traditions, making it a significant part of the team's history.

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Iowa's football game experience for sick children

The University of Iowa Hawkeyes have a tradition of waving to the patients at the Stead Family Children's Hospital at the end of the first quarter of every home game. The hospital overlooks the Kinnick Stadium, and the wave is a way to include the sick children and make them feel special. The tradition began in 2017 when over 70,000 fans participated in the wave, and it has since become a heartwarming ritual that even opposing teams and coaches have embraced.

During the 2019 Holiday Bowl between Iowa and USC, the 'Iowa Wave' expanded to include children from hospitals in both Iowa City and Southern California. The Holiday Bowl took place in San Diego, and the wave was directed at patients in a children's hospital in Iowa City, as well as representatives from Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The wave was initiated after the first quarter, with everyone in the stadium standing and waving towards the east end video board that featured the children. This heartwarming tradition received national attention and was covered by FS1 during the game broadcast, allowing the children in Iowa City to watch and feel included.

The 'Iowa Wave' is a powerful way to show support for the sick children and their families, and it has become an integral part of the game-day experience at University of Iowa football games. It is a testament to the university's commitment to community and the well-being of its youngest fans. The wave is a simple yet meaningful gesture that brings joy and comfort to those who need it most, and it has touched the hearts of many, both within and beyond the Iowa community.

The tradition has received widespread admiration and recognition as one of the coolest and most moving traditions in college football. It is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and foster a sense of unity and compassion. The 'Iowa Wave' is a shining example of how a simple act of kindness can make a significant difference in the lives of those facing challenging circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

The Iowa Wave is a tradition where, at the end of the first quarter of each home game, the entire crowd at the University of Iowa stands up and waves to kids fighting cancer at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital near the stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Iowa Wave started on September 2, 2017, when more than 70,000 fans stood at the end of the first quarter and waved to patients and families in the hospital.

The Iowa Wave is a heartwarming tradition that includes and supports kids fighting cancer and their families. Even opposing coaches and players have participated in the wave.

When Iowa played in the Holiday Bowl in 2019, fans and players participated in the Iowa Wave, waving at a video board in the stadium instead of the hospital. Representatives from two children's hospitals in Southern California were also present at the game.

No, the Iowa Wave tradition has travelled with the team to away games, including the Holiday Bowl.

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